I'm not someone who goes overboard for Valentine's Day, but with the "holiday" falling today, I thought it would be a great time to answer a question I get quite often.
It goes something like this...
"I want to take my [special someone] away for [a special occasion]. Which golf resorts best combine a truly romantic, couples retreat with high-quality golf?"
A tall order, to be sure -- especially if your mate doesn't play the game -- but a few places are so good, you'll both be on cloud nine on and off the course.
Here are some of my top picks, and I definitely want to hear yours.
Unless noted, all of these romantic retreats have golf on site....
United States...
Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach Resorts, CA
CordeValle, CA (golf course photo below)
Barnsley Resort, GA
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, HI
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, HI
Inn at Palmetto Bluff, SC (photo below)
The Lodge at Koele, HI
The Grand Del Mar, CA
Destination Kohler, WI (photo below)
Keswick Hall at Monticello, VA
Lake Placid Lodge, NY (offsite golf)
Resort at Pelican Hill, CA
Ojai Valley Inn, CA (photo below)
Twin Farms, VT (offsite golf)
WaterColor Inn and Resort, FL
International...
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf Resort & Spa, Los Cabos, Mexico (photo below)
Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, Italy
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Mexico
Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand
Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, Indonesia
Royal Isabela, Puerto Rico (photo below)
Have you been to any of these golf resorts or others that are great for couples and golf?
Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below.
kingsmill or greenbrier
The Great Barrier Reef course at Hamilton Bay put Pebble to shame! Don't even think about walking it and bring A LOT of balls-and your camera! We were on a cruise and didn't stay there but I believe you can.
No Pinehurst? My wife loves that place. The Boulders, Chateau Elan (GA), Ventana Canyon, JW Marriott San Antonio, Casa de Campo (DR) were all great couple places as well. My wife woudl go back to nay of these places in a heart beat.
A good addition to your list would be the Inn at Entrada in St. George, UT. Romantic suites, gorgeous scenery, terrific private golf course with other exceptional courses nearby.
Lake Placid Lodge is great too. The Whiteface Club is technically off site but the course surrounds the lodge's access road. An older layout that is much fun to play...
I would add Carmel Valley Ranch, too!
May River Golf Club has changed names and is now Palmetto Bluff Golf Club. They are currently under renovation so will have only nine available until later in the Spring.
Construction on the new Inn ended last Fall and the new facilities are fantastic!
Sea Island Resort, GA
Three greats course with the best range in the US. Beautiful little downtown. Seaside course is a Colt design and hosts the RSM each November. Ocean Forest is also there, but you'll need to call in some favors to get on it.
Two places not mentioned:
1.Tortuga Bay, Punta Cana. Wonderful villas--right on the ocean and La Cana Golf Club.
Corales, Punta Espada minutes away. Both great tracks--user friendly.
Great spa. Great weather. Great couples golf.
2. Southwest Ireland. Most courses have a couples rate! Weather often milder than the rest of Ireland. Lahinch (stay at Vaughan Lodge), Ballybunion, Waterville, Dooks, Tralee. All have lovely B&B's nearby. Killarney a lovely town. Wonderful hiking on Ring of Kerry. Take a day trip to Portmagee and Dingle. Unforgettable charming villages.
(Warning---Ireland golf gets addicting. It will forever ruin golf in the States.)
In my second travel book.... living the dream.... i visited both Kauri and the Cape... both extensively covered... we preferred the intimacy of Kauri better... the spa the pink beach etc., although the golf at the cape was unbelievable....
Barnbougle Dunes in tasmania is a miss i think..... as well as gleneagles here in uk.
We spent a long weekend at CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa in Anguilla, BWI. The place was amazing! My wife and I had the best meals at the resorts three restaurants, and played two rounds of golf and got spa treatments afterwords. I have never even heard of the island, but we are definitely going back. We are from Philly, and it's an easy flight down. LOVE IT